The County Lines

Fri., Feb. 26, 1999

WASHINGTON

Adams County

Othello

The training period is over and George Juarez has been named superintendent of Othello Public Schools. Juarez, who had been assistant superintendent, was mentored by interim administrator Dr. Don Fekete. Fekete said Juarez is ready for the top job.

Ferry County

Republic

The Echo Bay Mines Ltd. company recently reported a $20.1 million loss for 1998. In 1997, the company showed a net loss of $57.8 million. Despite the downturn in revenues, Echo Bay reduced spending and focused on curtailing operational costs, which bolstered the bottom line. Echo Bay runs a handful of gold mines in Ferry County and is a major contributor to the area’s economy.

Grant County

Moses Lake

Local police are warning local businesses to watch for funny money. Counterfeiting has become common in the basin area because of high-tech color copiers. Moses Lake Police Detective Ron Varner says to look closely at $20, $50 and $100 bills especially. Folks should note the watermark and polymer thread embedded in the bill, which can be seen when held to a light. Phony bills have been found recently in Othello, Warden, Moses Lake and Pasco.

Lincoln County

Davenport

Preparations are being made for the annual rite of spring in Davenport - the presentation of Handel’s “Messiah.” Members of all church choirs are invited to join the performance of the Easter portion of this classical piece. Paula Steinolfson will lead the ecumenical chorus. The Easter cantata will be presented in April, and money raised from the performance will go to Habitat for Humanity. For information, call (509) 725-5215.

Pend Oreille County

Newport

An 8 percent pay raise has county commissioners in hot water with county staff. Nearly 40 nonunion employees signed a letter stating they didn’t feel the raise was fair. These employees feel their 2.5 percent cost-of-living raises are spare when compared with commissioners’ pay increase. Another bone of contention: Some elected officials and department heads received 5-10 percent raises.

Spokane County

Spokane

The state Boundary Review Board for Spokane County has three new members, John B. Hagney, Douglas Beu and Daniel Turbeville III. Hagney, of Spokane, was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke. Beu, of Five Mile Prairie, was appointed by the Spokane County commissioners, and Turbeville, of Cheney, was selected to represent special taxing districts. Stevens County Colville Move over groundhog - the true first sign of spring has been found. Four little hikers discovered healthy, golden buttercups near Arden last week. The wee ones received $5 each from the Colville Statesman-Examiner for this “weather tip.” The buttercup-finders include Kaydee Poling, 5, Hanna Gotham, 4, Logun Gotham, 3 and Emily Poling, 2.

Whitman County

Palouse

The Red Cross and members of the Garfield/Palouse Future Homemakers of America are having a drive for food, clothes and furnishings for two Palouse families who lost their apartments in a house fire on Alder Street on Tuesday. High school teacher John Bofencamp and his students noticed smoke coming from the home, which is owned by the school district. Bofencamp helped one resident escape from her apartment. No one was injured in the fire, but the two families lost most of their possessions. Donations can be sent to the school at 600 E. Alder, Palouse, Wash.

IDAHO

Benewah County

St. Maries

The BetterCare Rock-a-Thon will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 6 at Benewah Community Hospital. Participants collect pledges for each hour they keep their rocking chairs going. They play games, read and are allowed a 10-minute break every hour. Last year, the event raised $3,000 for BetterCare. For information or pledge sheets, call Lynne Chase at (208) 245-2571 or Francie Walters at (208) 245-2248.

Bonner County

Sandpoint

A Sandpoint video arcade operator pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manufacturing marijuana Wednesday. Del Ray Bartello, 39, faces a possible maximum term of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine when he is sentenced April 1. Bartello was arrested July 7, 1998, after a search of his home uncovered nearly 50 marijuana plants.

Boundary County

Bonners Ferry

Free tax preparation services are available to middle and low-income residents of Bonners Ferry through the AARP Tax Aide Program. Services are available Mondays and Wednesday through April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Senior Hospitality Center. For information, contact John Tucker at (208) 267-7896.

Kootenai County

Coeur d’Alene

Recent rainy weather caused several ceiling panels in the Kootenai County administration building to fall to the floor Wednesday. The minor damage was caused by leaking duct work in the building. The contractor for the year-old, $4.6 million building is working to fix the problem, which temporarily moved the administrative secretary for the county commissioners to the upper level of the building.

Latah County

Moscow

Sen. Gary Schroeder, R-Moscow, will introduce a school attendance-age bill to the Senate Education Committee today. The bill would make it so a child could not quit school without parental consent before the age of 18. Exceptions to the law would be children who have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent, and those in active military duty. Under current law, 16-year-old children can quit without parental consent. John and Martha Biekers of Moscow helped write the bill and will make a presentation to the committee today. Comments on the bill can be made to Schroeder at (208) 332-1000.

Shoshone County

Enaville

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is having a breakfast meeting at Enaville Resort Saturday at 7 a.m. The meeting is a chance for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to talk with local and regional IDFG officials. This is the second of three meetings. The first meeting in January attracted about 35 people. The final meeting will be in late March.

MONTANA

Lincoln County

Libby

Members of the Libby VFW are proposing to build a 9,300-square-foot banquet hall and community center. The new building will be between the existing VFW on Second Street and California Avenue. The old building will be taken down after the new building is completed. Durand Construction Inc. of Polson has been selected to build the community hall. The building will serve as a disaster shelter for the Lincoln County Emergency Management Program and has been named as a partner in Project Impact.

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